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Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Proverbs 4:12

goest … runnest The figure of Proverbs 4:11 is continued.

straitened "His firm, wide steps of prosperity and security, when he walked in a wide place (Psalms 4:1), become narrowed and hampered." Widening of the steps is a usual Oriental figure for the bold and free movements of one in prosperity, as straitening of them is for the constrained and timid action of one in adversity. Comp. Proverbs 4:12; Psalms 18:36; and note on Job 18:7, in this Series.

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See also Proverbs 4:12 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Proverbs 4:12. _THY STEPS SHALL NOT BE STRAITENED_] True wisdom will teach thee to keep out of embarrassments. A man under the influence of true religion _ponders_ his paths, and carefully _poi...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17;...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Solomon's training (Proverbs 4:1)_ 2. Hear, O my son: Receive my sayings (Proverbs 4:10) 3. My son, attend to my words. (Proverbs 4:20)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    WHEN THOU GOEST: or, as thou walkest; i.e. however hedged in our path seems, it opens out as we go forward. WHEN THOU RUNNEST. if thou runnest. To walk is obligatory; to run is optional....

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    TEXT Proverbs 4:10-19 10. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many. 11. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness....

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. WHEN THOU GOEST, THY STEPS SHALL NOT BE STRAITENED - by insurmountable obstacles in thy way - i:e...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ANCESTRAL WISDOM. THE TWO PATHS In Proverbs 4:1 the teacher lays stress on the fact that his instruction is a repetition of his father's. No teaching was thought valuable save that which was handed do...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    His life is like a broad road in which are no obstacles to trip up the unwary. 16, 17. There were many rapacious officials whose appetite for oppression grew with what it fed on....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 4 V1 My sons, listen to your father’s instruction. As you listen to me, you will understand more....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    ‘The people who trust in God will become stronger. They will be so strong, that they will be like the eagle (a large, strong bird). They will run, but they will not become tired. They will walk, but t...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    בְּֽ֭ לֶכְתְּךָ לֹא ־יֵצַ֣ר צַעֲדֶ֑ךָ וְ אִם

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 5 EDUCATION: THE CHILD'S THOUGHT OF THE PARENT "Wisdom doth live with children round her knees." - Wordsworth. "He taught me, and said unto me," etc. Proverbs 4:4 THIS chapter begins with a...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    GUIDE-POSTS ON THE WAY OF LIFE Proverbs 4:10-27 One or two sentences stand out in this section, demanding special attention. _The path of the just, etc_., Proverbs 4:18. We may compare this beautiful...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    In this chapter there are three addresses. The first is of the nature of personal testimony (verses Pro 4:1-9). The next two are exhortations to fidelity (verses Pro 4:10-27). The father urges his own...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    When thou goest, thy steps shall not be (e) straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. (e) You will walk at liberty without offence....

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be strait...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 1 THROUGH 9. There are two very distinct parts in this book. The first nine Chapter s, which give the great general principles; and the proverbs, properly so...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    WHEN THOU GOEST, THY STEPS SHALL NOT BE STRAITENED,.... By enemies, or attended with difficulties and obstructions, or subject to dangers, but be at freedom and liberty in walking; for though saints d...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Ver. 12. _And when thou runnest._] Having a good mixture of zeal and knowledge; so that thy zeal dot...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings_ Diligently attend to and imbibe my instructions, as the earth drinks in the rain that drops upon it. _I have taught thee in the way of wisdom_ Either, 1st, The...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened, be hindered and confined by obstructions, AND WHEN THOU RUNNEST, THOU SHALT NOT STUMBLE, rather have ample room for a full and free stride....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    ADMONITIONS CONCERNING WISDOM...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-13 We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in ev...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    THY STEPS SHALL NOT BE STRAITENED; thou shalt manage thine affairs with great facility, and safety, and success. It is a metaphor from those who walk in a strait and uneven path, where they are apt to...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Proverbs 4:12 walk H3212 (H8800) steps H6806 hindered H3334 (H8799) run H7323 (H8799) stumble H3782 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    GOD'S WISDOM TEACHES MEN THE WAY IN WHICH THEY SHOULD GO, A WAY IN WHICH THEY WILL NOT STUMBLE AND WHICH LEADS TO LIFE, THEY ARE THUS TO AVOID THE WAY OF THE WICKED IN WHICH MEN STUMBLE AND WHERE DEAT...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Earnest exhortation to the study of true wisdom. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon, his son. CONCLUSION: True wisdom from God is the principle thing. It is that which recommends us to God, which be...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Proverbs 4:1. _Hear, ye children,_ a Hebraism, equivalent to wash, cleanse, and purify your ears. A grateful son here recites the domestic piety of an illustrious father. David talked much with his ch...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble._ MONOTONY AND CRISES The old metaphor likening life to a path has many felicities in it. It suggest...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 4:10 This passage gives one of the main teachings of Proverbs 1:1: the doctrine of the two ways. Everyone has a choice between entering the way of wisdom and the way of foll

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 4:8. EXALT or “esteem.” PROVERBS 4:9. Last clause, or “she shall compass thee with a crown of glory.” PROVERBS 4:10. As is all other instances (see Notes on Chap....

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION PROVERBS 4:1 7. _Seventh admonitory discourse. _We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Continuing to his son. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend that you might know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, don't forsake my law. For I was my father's son, ten...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 John 2:10; 1 John 2:11; 1 Peter 2:8; 2 Samuel 22:37; Jeremiah 31:9;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    SACRED EXHORTATIONS Proverbs 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS It is well, now and then, to step aside and consider what God has to say to young men and women; as well as to consider what He says to their fath...

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